Manual Handling
Manual handling incidents that lead to claims can result from supporting patients to transfer or move, both with and without equipment such as hoists. They can also result from interactions with clinical and non-clinical equipment.
Manual handling incidents can result from inadequate training, risk assessments and equipment. They can also occur from a failure to apply or use training, risk assessments and equipment that has been provided.
An Employers' Obligation
Employers have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment for their staff and to protect them from the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling.
Identifying the Risk
Activities that may increase the risk include, for example:
- assisting in person transfers
- aiding treatment
- assisting in carrying out daily activities (such as bathing) with individuals who will have specific needs
Ancillary staff, porters, maintenance and support staff may also be expected to undertake handling activities which put them at risk and their activities will also need assessment and controls to manage the risk.
Risk Assessments
Moving and handling risk assessments help identify where injuries may occur. Generic risk assessments consider the overall needs of the setting for example, type and frequency of the moving and handling tasks, the equipment needed, safe staffing levels etc.
Whereas an individual risk assessment considers the specific moving and handling needs to ensure the safety of staff and the patient/service user.
